VARICELLA-ZOSTER VIRUS - THE VIRUS

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes chickenpox and herpes tester. Afte r acute infection the virus becomes latent in dorsal root and trigemin al ganglia for the lifetime of the individual. The viral genome encode s about 70 proteins, at least three of which are thought to be express ed during latency in humans. VZV grows in cell culture, but is very ce ll-associated; it is relatively difficult to obtain high titers of cel l-free virus.